The New York Yankees are hoping to avenge their lackluster 2023 season. New York finished 82-80 and missed the MLB playoffs. Some have criticized the Yankees’ analytics team, and former All-Star Zack Britton addressed the issue in 2024.Zack Britton discusses his experience with the Yankees analytics staff.
Britton visited Foul Territory to talk about the approach the analytics team took with him during his time in New York.
“I remember the Yankees going down this rabbit hole of, ‘Hey, let’s tape your grip and try to get other people to throw your sinker.’ Britton stated on Foul Territory TV that his grip on the ball is hereditary rather than a matter of technique.
It appears that Britton and the team did not completely agree on the characteristics of a player’s throwing style. Nonetheless, the analytics team probably only intended to replicate Britton’s success with other throwers.The former Yankees relief pitcher served five seasons in New York, with his best season coming in 2019. Britton participated in 66 games that season, striking out 53 batters. He stayed with the team until 2022, when he opted to hang up his jersey.
“After my Yankees contract expired, I considered playing for another year or two. You know, I had two elbow surgeries last year, which did not help. Britton added, “I had offers from teams, but the money wasn’t worth leaving home at this stage.”
The former All-Star had made his home in New York, and due to late-career injury issues, he retired from the NBA.
